Ralls keeps piling up state championships

Published: Wednesday, October 23, 2013 at 12:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, October 23, 2013 at 12:02 a.m.

John Ralls has won so many state championships that it takes a few moments to add them all up. At present, he has 12. That's a lot and he is likely to make it 13 next week.

Ledford is the two-time defending state champion in 3-A girls golf and the Panthers just cleaned up at the Central Regional tournament on their home course at Meadowbrook.

Ralls, not one to boast, lists Northern Guilford and Cardinal Gibbons as two strong opponents for next week's state tournament, which is being held at the Foxfire Resort and Golf Club West Course. OK, coach, even though those are the second- and third-place teams Ledford left way behind on Monday in the regional. Ledford is really that good. Lexi Kershaw's 1-over-par 73 registers on the wow factor. Meghan Holbrooks shot an 80, good enough for third. It's going to be tough for anybody to beat the Panthers.

Victoria Hedrick of Central Davidson was second with a 79 and she has impressed all year. Hedrick will be at Foxfire as an individual and she is a bona fide threat to be medalist. A Ledford team title and Hedrick as medalist would put a real Davidson County stamp on the tournament.

As for Ralls, he's planning to retire after the current school year. If the Panthers win next week, that would give him three in a sport to go along with three in boys golf, four in girls basketball and three in slow-pitch softball. Ralls is just coaching golf this year after stepping down from girls basketball earlier in the year with over 700 wins in 28 years.

It's been quite a ride for Ralls.

Rumors that Tyquan Anderson drove the bus back to Thomasville after Friday's game at East Davidson aren't true but he did intercept two passes, caught two passes for 20 yards, ran the ball once for 20 yards and had a pair of 24-yard punt returns. That's quite an effort.

The Bulldogs were quite impressive lining up in the I-formation and running smash-mouth football. It sure was effective in the Bulldogs' 28-0 pounding of an East team that brought a 6-1 record into the game. That crowd, which retired East athletic director Danny Palmer said was really around 4,000, was quite impressive. It's even more impressive considering East has the worst parking for football in the state. Many of those fans had to walk a long way to get to the stadium.

Dale Barnes says North Rowan has the best team he's seen in 24 years at what is now called Charles Elmore Field at Glosson Stadium.

That covers a whole bunch of ground considering all those state champion Thomasville and Albemarle teams that played there. But given that the Cavaliers are ranked No. 1 in the state and have an incredible quarterback in Alexis Archie, it makes sense.

The Central Carolina Conference title is probably going to be decided between North Rowan and Thomasville.

Volleyball seems to be getting better in the county again with Central Davidson, West Davidson and Ledford all winning first-round matches last Saturday. When Central is on, it's really on.

Lexington and West Davidson will play a game on Thursday at East Davidson to decide who gets the second seed for the 2-A soccer state playoffs. The Yellow Jackets have taken some big strides this season.

Mike Duprez can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 218 or mike.duprez@the-dispatch.com.

<p>John Ralls has won so many state championships that it takes a few moments to add them all up. At present, he has 12. That's a lot and he is likely to make it 13 next week.</p><p>Ledford is the two-time defending state champion in 3-A girls golf and the Panthers just cleaned up at the Central Regional tournament on their home course at Meadowbrook.</p><p>Ralls, not one to boast, lists Northern Guilford and Cardinal Gibbons as two strong opponents for next week's state tournament, which is being held at the Foxfire Resort and Golf Club West Course. OK, coach, even though those are the second- and third-place teams Ledford left way behind on Monday in the regional. Ledford is really that good. Lexi Kershaw's 1-over-par 73 registers on the wow factor. Meghan Holbrooks shot an 80, good enough for third. It's going to be tough for anybody to beat the Panthers.</p><p>Victoria Hedrick of Central Davidson was second with a 79 and she has impressed all year. Hedrick will be at Foxfire as an individual and she is a bona fide threat to be medalist. A Ledford team title and Hedrick as medalist would put a real Davidson County stamp on the tournament.</p><p>As for Ralls, he's planning to retire after the current school year. If the Panthers win next week, that would give him three in a sport to go along with three in boys golf, four in girls basketball and three in slow-pitch softball. Ralls is just coaching golf this year after stepping down from girls basketball earlier in the year with over 700 wins in 28 years.</p><p>It's been quite a ride for Ralls.</p><p><B>Rumors that Tyquan Anderson</B> drove the bus back to Thomasville after Friday's game at East Davidson aren't true but he did intercept two passes, caught two passes for 20 yards, ran the ball once for 20 yards and had a pair of 24-yard punt returns. That's quite an effort.</p><p>The Bulldogs were quite impressive lining up in the I-formation and running smash-mouth football. It sure was effective in the Bulldogs' 28-0 pounding of an East team that brought a 6-1 record into the game. That crowd, which retired East athletic director Danny Palmer said was really around 4,000, was quite impressive. It's even more impressive considering East has the worst parking for football in the state. Many of those fans had to walk a long way to get to the stadium.</p><p><B>Dale Barnes says</B> North Rowan has the best team he's seen in 24 years at what is now called Charles Elmore Field at Glosson Stadium. </p><p>That covers a whole bunch of ground considering all those state champion Thomasville and Albemarle teams that played there. But given that the Cavaliers are ranked No. 1 in the state and have an incredible quarterback in Alexis Archie, it makes sense.</p><p>The Central Carolina Conference title is probably going to be decided between North Rowan and Thomasville.</p><p><B>Volleyball seems to be</B> getting better in the county again with Central Davidson, West Davidson and Ledford all winning first-round matches last Saturday. When Central is on, it's really on.</p><p><B>Lexington and West Davidson</B> will play a game on Thursday at East Davidson to decide who gets the second seed for the 2-A soccer state playoffs. The Yellow Jackets have taken some big strides this season.</p><p>Mike Duprez can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 218 or mike.duprez@the-dispatch.com.</p>